Bios of French, Andrew (b.1859) Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1920.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab3.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some
of the bios on her pages.
French, Andrew (p. 248), a former citizen of Plainview, who was a potent
factor in the organization and development of various local enterprises,
and who is now engaged in a wider sphere of action as a land dealer,
residing in St. Paul, was born in Green Lake County, Wisconsin, near
Markesan, December 10, 1859. His parents, D. R. and Emily (Pond) French,
were natives respectively of Vermont and New York. Andrew was four years
old when he accompanied them to Wabasha county, Minnesota, the family
settling on a farm of 160 acres on the famous Greenwood Prairie, in
Plainview Township. There he was reared to manhood, acquiring a district
and public school education, and under his father's mentorship becoming an
excellent farmer. After relinquishing his studies, he taught school for
nine years in the rural districts of the county, and for five summers
during that period was engaged in farming in Big Stone County. In the
spring of 1885 he became associated with his father as a partner in the
home farm, carrying on general agriculture, and this association was
continued harmoniously for many years, or until the father's death in
1909, when Andrew became sole owner of the estate. This farm he sold in
1912. In the meanwhile he had become interested in other business
enterprises. He was one of the organizers of the Plainview Farmers Mutual
Fire Insurance Company, which he served as secretary from 1889 until
December, 1908. Always progressive, especially in agriculture, he was one
of the first in the community to use the silo, and was probably the first
dairyman of the county to use upon his farm the modern cream separator. He
also helped to organize the Plainview Co-operative Creamery Company,
serving as its secretary and manager from 1899 to 1908. In 1902 Mr. French
moved to Plainview, where he at once became one of the leading spirits in
the affairs of the village, being one of the organizers of the Greenwood
Prairie Telephone Company, of which in 1903 he was elected secretary and
manager, which positions he held until 1908. He was also a member of the
board of directors of the First National Bank of Plainview, and served as
its vice president for two years. Aside from these business enterprises,
he rendered efficient service in public office, being a member for several
years, and chairman part of the time, of the Plainview Township board of
supervisors. He also served for two years as mayor of Plainview, and also
served his legislative district in the State Legislature in the sessions
of 1891 and 1898. In December, 1908, Mr. French was appointed by Governor
Johnson as State Dairy and Food Commissioner, and, moving to St. Paul,
performed the duties of that office for two years. In 1911 he purchased
large tracts of land in Cass County, Minnesota, and engaged in the land
business, with offices at No. 345 Endicott Building, St. Paul. By
enterprise and honest dealing he has built up a large trade as head of the
Clover Belt Land Company, and is realizing satisfactory financial returns.
He is a member of the St. Paul Association of Commerce and is widely known
and respected as one of the leading business men of the state capital. Mr.
French was married, March 5, 1885, to Adelia Struble, daughter of Stephen
and Emily (Graves) Struble, of Plainview. He and his wife are the parents
of two children: Stanton Graves, born January 2, 1896, and Stephen Rollin,
born August 14, 1901. Stanton Graves, who was a student at the Central
high school, St. Paul, in May, 1917, entered the navy of the United
States, and is still in the service at the Great Lakes Station, Illinois.
Stephen Rollin, who was graduated from the Central high school in the
class of 1919, is now a student at the Minnesota State University. Mr.
French and his family are members and loyal supporters of the St. Paul
Universalist church, which he is serving in the office of treasurer. The
family home is located at No. 2117 Dayton Avenue, St. Paul.